AHBIC wishes to thank all those who contribute to the
support of the organisation. It would be prudent,
when purchasing queen bees or selling honey, to consider supporting
those who support the industry and
conduct price comparisons on that basis. A list of all current contributors
appears below.

AB’s Honey

Australian Rain Forest Honey

Australian Honey Bee Improvement Programme

Australian Sungold Queen Bees

Beeline Queens

Bush Honey

Bradbury, GN and DJ

Capilano Honey Limited

CE Mills

Chiltern Honey

Coopers Fine Foods

Dewar Apiaries

Hunter Valley Apiaries

Koonoomoo Apiaries

R & E McDonald

R. Stephens

RC & DJ Phillips Pty Ltd

Pollination Association of WA

Swan Settlers

T & M Weatherhead

Walkabout Apiaries

Weerona Apiaries

Wescobee Limited

Health benefits identified following discovery
that the oil in Eucalypt pollen is mostly linoleic acid.

Recent research funded by the Rural Industries
Research and Development Corporation in Western Australia by Agriculture
WA researcher Rob Manning has examined several endemic Eucalypt
pollens for amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids.

The identification of the fatty acid composition
in pollens has shown for the first time that eucalypts have a
high level of the fatty acid - linoleic. When compared to other
pollens that have been examined overseas, eucalypts are dominant
in linoleic though the percentage oil in pollen is lower than
for most other species.

Linoleic acid is known as an essential fatty
acid in human health. The human body cannot manufacture linoleic
acid and therefore it has to be consumed. It is found in most
foodstuffs at various concentrations. This new finding that eucalypt
pollen fats are dominated by linoleic fatty acid should be exploited
so consumers can be aware of another benefit from consuming pollen.
As a polyunsaturated fatty acid, linoleic acid helps lower the
ratio of low density lipoproteins (LDLs) to high density lipoproteins
(HDLs). The LDLs (known as the "bad" lipoprotein) carry fats such
as cholesterol from our liver to our cells whilst HDLs carry cholesterol
from our cells to our liver to be excreted as bile into the intestine.

Other benefits included the high levels of minerals
such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese
and copper compared to the same 100 grams of apple, eggs, chops,
potato, fish, chicken and bananas as examples.

As far as protein goes it ranges from 20 to 28%
depending upon the tree species and includes the 17 amino acids
for good nutrition and dominant in the amino acid - proline.

The other interesting possibility is the link
that USA researchers have found between linoleic acid (particularly)
and others such as myristic, linolenic and lauric fatty acids
on the inhibition of American Foulbrood and European

Foulbrood diseases. In laboratory tests, these
fatty acids have been shown to be strongly antimicrobial. The
interesting thought is whether eucalypt pollens play an important
role in assisting the honey bees in keeping their cells sterile
(because of this fatty acid) and perhaps in keeping the bacteria
and fungi levels to a minimum within the hive. After all, how
many beekeepers have noticed that pollen pellets are placed somewhat
randomly amongst the brood cells for awhile?

There are more questions than answers at the
moment. In the following graph, pollen from Western Australia's
eucalypts show them to be high in linoleic acid. Redgum pollen
is also dominant in linolenic and myristic acids when compared
to other eucalypt species and theoretically would be more potent
from the antimicrobial aspect. Anecdotal evidence suggests that
redgum is a pollen very much in demand for use as feedback to
bees when conditions are poor, in building hives or queen bee
production. Interest from consumers might now occur and with the
increased demand from this new discovery Pollen trapping and export
could be a profitable business for more beekeepers.

Out of the many pollens examined for fatty acids,
Eucalypts have one of the highest linoleic acid compositions (arrowed).

The Redgum - Corymbia calophylla

Training Courses Available for Beekeeping

(1) The Open Training and Education
Network - Distance Education (OTEN-DE) provides a course in beekeeping.
The aim of the course is to improve the knowledge and skills needed
to set up and operate an apiary. The course is aimed at hobby beekeepers,
part-time farmers and commercial beekeepers. The course is offered as
a distance education course and all the learning materials are provided
by OTEN as part of the enrolment.

Questions about specific details of
the course including cost may be directed to: MS ROSIE STERN on
02 9715 8540

(2) NSW Agriculture has set dates for
two residential courses in beekeeping to be held at CB Alexander Agricultural
College "Tocal" at Paterson in the Hunter Valley.

Information obtained by FCAAA from the
State Minister for Transport’s office indicates that NSW has proposed
to develop a standard for bull bars for vehicles and not an airtight
ban. At present it appears that there is no standard for bull bars.

It was suggested that certain types
of bull bars may be recommended for certain types of vehicles eg big
ones for big vehicles and small ones for small vehicles and not vice
versa. It would appear that the next meeting of State Ministers is proposed
for May this year. They have offered to keep us advised of progress.

If you should have additional information
on this matter, please advise Harold Ayton, Secretary FCAAA on 03 6425
2089.

Australian Plague Locust Commission
– Locust Management Advice

General Situation

The APLC expects to commence aerial
control of locust infestations in far southwest Queensland and far northeast
South Australia in the very near future. Ground and aerial surveys have
identified significant populations of Australia plague locusts in these
areas.

These infestations have probably arisen
from subsequent breeding of residual summer/autumn 2000 populations.
Eggs from that generation would have resumed development after improved
soil moisture levels following significant late spring/early summer
rain.

Vegetation conditions are generally
drying rapidly with suitable refuges contracting back into drainage
areas. Some mortality of younger insects is likely but most have already
fledged and are mobile enough to locate refuge areas and survive. This
should facilitate gregarious behaviour and create worthwhile swarms
that will warrant control.

Significant mortality, from drying conditions,
appears to have occurred in the White Cliffs region. The residual population
will continue to be monitored but is not a threat at present.

Slightly younger populations exist in
the general Innamincka region and they will also be monitored for swarm
development and possible control operations.

An older infestation exists in the northern
and eastern areas of the Flinder’s Ranges. The scale and density of
the current population does not warrant management intervention at this
stage, however, samples of egg development indicate that laying has,
or will soon, take place. Control of the subsequent generation may be
required in late January to February 2001.

Subsequent locust control operations may also
be required in an adjacent region, approximately bounded by:
Innamincka – Bellera (Oil and Gasfields) – ‘Lake Pure’ – ‘Cordillo
Downs’, north and east of Innamincka (SA) after further evaluation

Management intervention may also be necessary
(late January – February) to control a further generation expected
to arise from current egg bearing adults in the northern Flinder’s
Ranges (SA

Anticipated Commencement:

January 10, 2001

Anticipated Duration:

Initially up to, approximately,
1-2 weeks (may be intermittent and dependent on a variety of factors)

Method:

Aerial application of ultra-low
volume (ULV) insecticide

Consultation:

Consultation with landholders
will take place before any operations on or near their property.
Post-operation advice will be provided on request

Australian Plague Locust Commission

Honey Levy

Honey Levy is used to fund research
and development activities of the Honey Industry as well as residue
testing of honey. The levy is imposed under Commonwealth Legislation
and its payment is compulsory. The Levies and Revenue Service (LRS)
is a part of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry –
Australia (AFFA) and is tasked with the collection of the Honey Levy.

While the levy is actually paid by the
producer of the honey, due to the requirements of the legislation it
is normally collected and forwarded to the LRS by the first purchaser
(eg the packer). The current rate of levy is 1.05 cents per kilogram.

First purchasers, buying agents, selling
agents, exporters and people using honey to produce other goods must
lodge returns on a monthly basis within 28 days after the end of the
month in which the honey was sold or used if the total amount of honey
used and/or sold in the month is in excess of 50kgs. Producers who sell
or use in excess of 600kgs of honey in a levy (calendar) year must lodge
an annual return by the 28th February of the following year.

Producers and all other persons dealing
in honey must keep records of their dealings in honey and must make
these records available to authorised officers of the LRS upon request.

There are various offences imposed under
the legislation relating to the failure to lodge returns, keep records,
etc. Late payment of the levy incurs penalty at the rate of 2% per month
compounding.

The Levies and Revenue Service has regional
offices in Queensland, NSW, Victoria (also covers Tasmania) and South
Australia (also covers NT and WA) which employ Investigations Officers
who conduct routine field audits and when the need arises investigate
offences committed under the legislation. Staff from these offices are
available to answer queries from levy payers and other interested parties.

In Australia, the honey bee is used
in alfalfa seed production. The honey bees, however, find other floral
sources more attractive during the alfalfa bloom. In particular, Eucalyptus
is very attractive to honey bees. There have been several importations
of the alfalfa leafcutting bee, beginning in 1987. IPS and Pioneer Hi-Bred
has been working with CSIRO and AQIS to develop protocols to ensure
that future importations are disease and parasite free. Additionally,
IPS is working with native Australian bees to find other potential crop
pollinators. IPS is also helping develop integrated pest management
(IPM) strategies for alfalfa grown for seed in Australia

Profile of Dr Ron Bitner

Dr Ron Bitner has more than 25 years
experience with non-apis bee biology and with large scale pollination
management programmes. His doctoral thesis, Ecological Management of
the Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee, Megachile rotundata, is the basis of the
IPS multi-generation management system, which allows for extended usage
of the leafcutting bee during a single season. His close relationship
as a consultant to Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. gives IPS access
to a company that produces seed globally. Dr Bitner is a past President
of the Northwest Alfalfa Seed Growers Association and technical advisor
to the Idaha Alfalfa Seed Commission. He works closely with several
agriculture leadership programmes, helping to bring to the grower community
a new sense of professionalism.

Update from Honey Bee Research & Development
Committee (HBRDC)

HBRDC met on the 2nd and
3rd November 2000 in Canberra. The committee invited a few
researchers to look at developing a new project on nutrition. There
is a new technique called near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for
analysing a substance. This project will look at developing the method
to analyse pollen and nectar in a very cost effective way. It is also
hoped it can be developed to analyse a bee for protein etc. The other
part of the proposed project is to look at developing the use of caged
bees to feed various diets.

Russell Goodman and Ben McKee attended
and gave a report on their project EFB & OTC Residue. There seems
no doubt that any method of feeding OTC for EFB is likely to cause a
residue problem in the honey and depending on the storage temperature
the residue will persist for 12 months. In this research Ben McKee is
doing a trial on various supplements to see what effect they have on
the development of EFB.

In some recent work by Rob Manning he
reported that fatty acids exist in pollen but in various percentages.
We are disappointed that some beekeepers are trying to control AFB with
various substances without any research to back it up.

The committee is very interested in
the prospect of using one of the fatty acids for the possible control
of EFB. We have asked Michael Hornitzky to develop a proposal to show
in the laboratory what effect the fatty acids have on EFB and AFB bacteria.
This is the first step, then HBRDC will do a field or laboratory trial.

Research CD’s

Russell Goodman prepared a volume of
material on pollination of various crops. The project has not yet been
published in hard copy but Keith McIlvride has put the manual onto CD.
It is an excellent work and would be very useful for grower or beekeeper.
To obtain a copy write to M James, RIRDC PO Box 4776 Kingston 2604.

Another CD is being produced which will
contain abstracts of projects from 1980 until today. Also the full final
reports as soon as they can be put together. The CD will then be updated
on a regular basis.

We had earlier advised that the CD would
be ready for release early November but a few of the final reports are
not yet ready. There are two excellent reports one on the use of wax
dipping and the other on barrier controls. As the use of colour on the
CD is best some of the photos are being redone. The industry will be
notified when this CD is finally available.

Update on Pollination Benefits

Rod Gill’s paper on the value of pollination
has been a very valuable document for the industry in negotiating with
government. The committee at its November meeting assessed two preliminary
proposals to redo this work..

A Canberra firm, Centre of International
Economics (CIE) was chosen to develop a full application. It was further
decided that a committee should assist CIE to fully understand what
the industry needed. AHBIC was contacted for someone to represent industry
at this meeting. Bob McDonald and Greg Roberts will be representing
AHBIC at the meeting which will take place in Canberra on the 8th
March..

New HBRDC

The new committee commenced its three
year term on the 1st July 2000 and has been unusually busy
ever since. A large number of projects have recently finished and the
final reports have to be read and approved by the committee and then
a decision taken on how they are to be published.

Keith McIlvride

CROP, STOCK AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

Crop Report – New South Wales

In general Paterson’s Curse was a failure
with little honey being produced, however, a fair crop was produced
in the south of the state on Paterson’s Curse and blue weed.

In the central west, green mallee produced
a good crop of honey – most likely the best so far this season.

On the south coast and some patches
on the north coast, grey ironbark produced some good crops.

Red stringy bark is starting to yield
in the central west and is starting to flower in the south. In most
cases rain is needed to ensure a very good flow.

There is some good bud on spotted gum
on the south coast but not all areas are budded.

Stock Report – New South Wales

Honey in general is in very short supply
especially light honey. Many packers from interstate are looking for
honey in the central west.

Eddie Podmore

QUARANTINE REPORT

After a short break, I am back in the
saddle.

Illegal importation case

I have been informed that a summons
has been issued in relation to the alleged illegal importation of queen
bees into Australia and a concurrent charge of allegedly illegally exporting
queen bees. The case is set down for February.

It is hoped that the courts, in the
advent of a conviction, will take a serious view of the alleged actions
and impose an appropriate sentence.

Grass Roots magazine article

My attention was drawn to an article
in the Grass Roots magazine where a treatment for mites and wasps in
beehives appeared. It was attributed to a lady in New South Wales. I
contacted Bruce White who went to see the lady.

It transpired that she did not write
the article and upon Bruce’s checking with the editors of Grass Roots,
it seems the article was wrongly attributed and may have originated
from overseas.

As a result of the article, Ian Peebles
from AFFA is preparing an article for the Grass Roots magazine to let
the readers know that we do not have destructive mites, bees can only
be imported through Wallgrove and our quarantine dogs can pick up bees
being smuggled, as was the case recently.

Our thanks to Bob McDonald in Townsville
who gave me the details of the article, Bruce White for his actions
in following it up and Ian Peebles for preparing the article.

Exports of live bees to the USA

Still no real action on this. It seems
the USDA is stalling this and I imagine the change in Administration
in the USA will not help at this time.

It I hoped that we can get some action
in time for the 2002 season.

Port surveillance

Beekeepers are asking questions as to
how this is progressing. I have sent a serious of questions to members
of my Quarantine Sub-committee on how it is progressing in their State.

I should be able to let members know
what is happening in the next newsletter.

Incursions

To date there have been no incursions
of Asian bees but having said that it will probably put the mockers
on it and we will get some.

Recently a swarm of Apis mellifera
was picked up in Melbourne ports but it seems it may have originated
locally. The boat had come from the USA. Tests were being carried out
for mites but, as I have heard nothing, I assume they were negative.

Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness
(EADP)

Late last year, Ray Phillips and I attended
an EADP Workshop run by Animal Health Australia (AHA) in Canberra. There
were representatives from all member bodies in attendance.

It was obvious to both Ray and I that,
other than maybe chicken meat, there are no other industries that are
as well prepared as we are. A report has been sent to AHBIC Executive
for their information and action.

Trevor Weatherhead

Crop Report – Tasmania

Early to mid-December, weather conditions
were full of promise for the white honey crop (ground flora, usually
clover and blackberry) although pasture drying especially in the south
where prickly box and pollination were holding bees in reasonable hive
populations. The forecast for a white Christmas was not to be believed
we thought, but for once they were right! Up to ten days of cold, blizzard
like winds and snow on the mountains put an end to the white honey.

The weather cleared and the bees began
again. Very poor to average crops of honey have been reported. With
very few exceptions, the colour is only medium as the hives mainly worked
prickly box and dandelion. Extra white and white honey is non existent.

One beekeeper moved to the leatherwood
forest which had begun to flower early. The Christmas storm had a devastating
effect on blossoms and hives. However, as the leatherwood trees developed
their full potential, it is reported as the best flowering seen for
many years. Most hives has now been moved to the rain forest areas of
the west coast where Eucryphia Lucida thrives. Although inclined to
be dry, the hives moved early are producing well. The next three weeks
are crucial for a successful production season.

Next month’s report will reveal quality
and quantity. Prospects for bulk honey sales do not appear to be very
promising, especially for the premium price leatherwood honey should
command.

Shirley Stephens

Crop Report – South Australia

Extremely hot and dry conditions are
being experiences throughout the state, resulting in some loss of hive
strength.

South East: (Upper) Patchy budding
of stringy bark. More rain is needed for banksia and potato weed (the
existing potato weed is drying off). Some irrigated lucerne finished
early, the balance is expected to finish earlier than usual. Rain is
urgently required. Production has been below average to average, to
date. Those on oranges earlier had a reasonable year.

South East: (Lower) Extremely
dry – very little honey produced in this region this season.

West Coast: (Upper) The red mallee
with its light flowering was producing before the extreme heat. Prospects:
The tea tree is well budded and beginning to flower.

West Coast: (Lower) Mallee is
producing, inland tea tree is very good, coastal tea tree is patchy,
the little red mallee is promising. There is no Lincoln weed owing to
the dry conditions.

Northern: (Upper) Nothing to
report other than there is some budding on grey box.

Kangaroo Island: Disappointing
summer. Broom bush looked magnificent/yielded no nectar or pollen. Bees
depleted stores to a serious level in many instances. Sugar gum was
slow to start, but there are some promising signs. Prospects: Stringy
bark well budded, later than usual in flowering. Cup gum is very well
budded.

Riverland: Dryland tea tree heavy
in flower but not yielding. Paddy melons and potato weed are flowering.
Euc.foecunda is starting to flower. Prospects: White mallee is starting
to bud.

Kay Lambert

Crop and Stock Report – Queensland

Conditions in Queensland have not improved
as was hoped following November rain. There are no major honey flows
in the state. Interest will focus on keeping hives alive! Narrow Leaved
Ironbark and Yapunyah are the crops to watch but both are well down
the track. Brush Box, Coolibah, Yellow Stringybark and Grey Ironbark
all failed to produce. Small areas of Tea Tree and Bloodwood may offer
some build conditions.

Many Queensland honey producer gambled
on moving into NSW in the hope of securing a crop, success varied. Many
have expressed their gratitude for the advice and assistance given them
by southern producers who had heard of the severe honey shortage in
Queensland. Most are now returning to Queensland due to the lack of
country available for them on Red Stringybark and Bloodwood in NSW.
The future for many is very bleak and recovery will take a few good
seasons. This is the third year in a row of poor honey production.

Stock held by beekeepers remains low.

Bill Winner

Crop Report – Western Australia

The honey flow in Coolgardy, eastern
wheatbelt has finished and a lot of beekeepers have shifted back onto
some powder bark or their redgum sites. The ones who stayed have been
very busy controlling a bushfire that has been burning since December
with about 100,000 hectares already burnt and a lot of bee sites along
the way.

The red gum is starting to put buds
on but does not look to be as promising as last year as we are still
having very little rain. Beekeepers in the south report that bees are
working the peppermint and the forest blackbut looked quite good along
the coast.

The Karri may be able to be worked in
some areas but reports are that it is very patchy.

Kim Fewster

AQBBA Report

In January, the Australian Queen Bee
Breeders Association brought Susan Cobey from the USA to teach two classes
of beekeepers instrumental insemination of queen bees – one class in
New South Wales and one class in Queensland.

Sue works at Ohio State University and
has run a bee breeding programme with Carniolan bees for the past ten
years. The 200-300 hives are all stocked with artificially inseminated
queens.

Sue also addressed a meeting at Kurri
Bowling Club. A comment that Sue made at the meeting was "Australia
is a lucky country to be free of mites and chemicals!!"

Beehives in USA are under constant pressure
from mites and over-use of chemicals. Hives no longer boom and swarming
is not a problem.

The AQBBA hope that the skills that
members learned from the classes will enable them to improve breeding
stock and start their own breeding programmes.

REMINDER

AHBIC COUNCIL MEETING

To be held at the Airport Motel and Convention Centre33 Ardlie Street, Attwood, Victoriaon Saturday 17th March and Sunday 18th
March 2001.

These dates include a Media Training Dayon Saturday 17th March, 2001 to be followed byan AHBIC Council Meeting on Sunday 18th March 2001